CHAPTER 301: CHAPTER 301: SONG KE’S INVITATION

The gatekeeper at the entrance was somewhat acquainted with Song Yi.

Before going back to rest, Song Yi specifically instructed him not to neglect Xia Mian and her companions if they returned.

So, when he saw Xia Mian humming a tune coming from afar, the gatekeeper immediately stood up and greeted her with a smile, "Miss Xia, what happy event has occurred?"

Xia Mian glanced at the gatekeeper and didn’t explicitly mention any good news. She just smiled and said, "Hmm, a happy event, a very happy event."

With that, she walked in joyfully with her hands behind her back.

Lu Zechuan, Gu Zhi, and Xia Weizhang closely followed her.

Back at the inn, Xia Mian specifically asked someone to bring up a bucket of hot water.

Since arriving in the Mystical World, she hadn’t been able to enjoy a good bath for several days.

This morning, when Gu Zhi and Xia Weizhang were washing, she intended to wash as well, but was concerned about delaying the task Xie Chengming entrusted to her, so she didn’t worry too much about it.

Now, with good fortune bringing great spirits, she felt her mood would improve even further after a nice wash.

As Xia Mian bathed, Lu Zechuan stood guard at the door, waiting for her to finish before he went in to wash as well.

After cleansing off the grime of the day, the two lay back on the bed, emitting a faint fragrance.

Lu Zechuan became somewhat restless again.

He resisted and resisted, but in the end, he couldn’t help it and embraced Xia Mian.

The scent of Xia Mian’s hair filled his nostrils, gradually calming Lu Zechuan’s agitated emotions.

Xia Mian curled up in his solid embrace, listening to his strong heartbeat, not daring to move.

She wasn’t ready yet.

Behind the curtain, the Little Black Cat yawned lazily, thinking these two were too much! In the dead of night, they were tormenting the cat again!

The Little Black Cat grumbled internally while taking a deep breath. He had to admit, the scent from these two was incredibly soothing for a cat. He could clearly feel his body becoming much bigger over the past couple of days.

***

Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan had an utterly sweet night’s sleep.

The next morning, when they went downstairs, both looked refreshed and energetic.

Song Ke was waiting downstairs early on. Seeing them descend, he immediately approached, "Miss Xia, do you have some time today? Shall I take you around for a stroll?"

Song Ke smiled innocently.

Xia Mian nodded, her eyes forming crescents, "Yes."

Lu Zechuan, with his fingers intertwined with Xia Mian’s, let his gaze lightly fall on Song Ke, "Gubei Town is only so big. What else is there to see?"

Song Ke laughed, "That’s what you don’t know. We have a Sea Market in Gubei Town."

Xia Mian frowned slightly, "Sea Market?"

"It comes with the sea, and retreats with the sea," Song Ke scratched his head, "There are many small vendors at the Sea Market, and everything they make tastes delicious. Would Miss Xia like to take a look?"

Last night, Xia Mian didn’t enjoy her roasted lamb properly due to Zhou Yun’s poison.

With Song Ke’s enthusiastic invitation, she quickly agreed after a brief thought.

Song Ke almost jumped with joy like a child.

The Little Black Cat behind Xia Mian gave a disdainful look at Song Ke, who had once shared hard times with him, thinking how this simpleton remains unchanged after all these years. How could he possibly form a contract with an Exotic Beast!

The decision made, Song Ke briefly informed Song Yi before leading Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan out the door.

The Little Black Cat trailed along like a shadow behind the three of them.

After Xia Mian improved Gu Zhi and Xia Weizhang’s constitutions, they chose to stay behind closed doors, focusing on enhancing their cultivation.

Before leaving, Xia Mian specifically instructed Song Yi to keep an eye on them and ensure nothing unexpected happened.

Song Yi readily agreed.

Walking along the road, Xia Mian couldn’t help but curiously ask, "Does Gubei Town have a sea?"

Song Ke smiled and waved his hand, "No sea."

Xia Mian frowned, "No sea, and it’s called Sea Market?"

Song Ke laughed again, "This sea randomly appears, here today, there tomorrow, but every so often, it will reappear in the same place, and everyone gradually figured out the pattern, so they go and explore when it appears."

Xia Mian made an "oh" sound, growing somewhat interested in this Sea Market.

Since this sea randomly appears, she wondered if the small vendors were always following the sea, or if they could enter and leave the Sea Market freely?

Xia Mian held many questions inside until she actually saw the sea.

The sea appeared on the outskirts of Gubei Town.

The outskirts of Gubei Town had begun to show signs of desertification, and standing at the edge of town, one could clearly see the swirling yellow sand and the solitude of the desert smoke.

In this seemingly dreamlike canvas, the air gradually began to ripple, and then a sea slowly appeared over the sandy land.

Upon closer inspection, the sea didn’t actually touch the ground but seemed to be suspended above it.

On the sea, there were various boats of different sizes, each wafting delightful aromas of food that reached people’s noses directly.

Song Ke looked at the various boats on the sea and couldn’t help but swallow lightly.

The Little Black Cat glanced at him, thinking if it weren’t for having a good father and brother, this guy probably wouldn’t have lived this long!

As the sea appeared on the outskirts of the small town, more and more people gradually began to gather.

The crowd became larger, and the surroundings grew noisier.

Song Ke smiled at Xia Mian and said, "This Sea Market stays in our Gubei Town for two hours. After that, it disappears, and we must exit from the Sea Market."

Xia Mian nodded.

"Let’s go, I’ll take you inside for a look!" Song Ke said, waving towards the sea.

A small boat rowed over.

"Miss Xia, please board the boat!" Song Ke turned his head and invited Xia Mian.

Xia Mian nodded, with Lu Zechuan holding her hand, and the two boarded the small boat together.

The Little Black Cat, fearing being left behind, instantly leaped onto Song Ke’s shoulder.

Song Ke’s shoulder dipped slightly under the weight of the Little Black Cat, showing a hint of surprise in his eyes. He tilted his head and examined the Little Black Cat, lightly exclaiming, "Buddy, have you gotten fatter?"

The Little Black Cat meowed, arrogantly turning its head away, not deeming it worthy to bother answering.

Is this fat?

This is evolution! The simpleton knows nothing!

The simplistic Song Ke naturally couldn’t hear the Little Black Cat’s internal grumbling, still cheerfully ferrying the chubby cat onto the boat.

The young lad steering the boat chatted casually with Song Ke while rowing, "Brother Song, which boat are we heading to this time?"

Song Ke replied with a cheery smile, "Let’s go to the boat I frequent!"

"Alright! Hold on tight, we’re off!" The youth cheerfully responded, the oars gently paddling through the water, and the small boat swiftly made its way to a nearby sizable boat.

Once Xia Mian and others boarded, more people gradually called for boats, leisurely roaming on the sea.

The scene truly appeared enchanting, a moving sea, with boats of all kinds navigating back and forth, and people conducting trade on the boats.